Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-04
UNCLE NAHUM.
His Wedding, and How He Pro-
vided for It.


paper in his back parlor. Nobody
would think, to look at the simple sur
roundings of the unpretentious apart
ment, that Mr.. Nahum Nixon was one
of the wealthiest men in town. The
carpet, it is true, was Administer, but
it had seen twenty-five good years of
service. and was down to the very
warp; the faded red curtains were of
moreen, instead of silk damask; the
old clock on the mantel was no Paris
ian affair of alabaster and gilt, but a
substantial Connecticut time piece that
struck with whirr, like partridge
springing out of her nest; the chairs of
old-fashioned mahogany and hair-cloth
stood upright against the wall; the
portraits of General Washington on
horseback and the surrender of Corn
wallis ornamented the gay-papered
walls in frames of sombre gilt, and the
one elegance of the apartment was a
preposterous bouquet of wax flowers
under cracked glass shade.
But Uncle Nixon had remembered
that furniture ever since he was a
child, and he wouldn't have exchanged
it for the fittings of a Partisan boudoir,
or the choicest specimens of the mod
ern Eastlake pattern. He was rich
man, that was quite enough for him.
''If YOU please, Mr.. Nixon said the
trim maid-servant. '.Mr. Marmaduke
Bourne wants to see you. if You please,
sir. if you are quite at leisure"
'.Mr. Marmadukc Bourne, eh?' The
old gentleman took off his spcctacles
and laid them upon the folded news
paper. "Ask him to come in, Polly"
And Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne came
in. a tall, fresh-colored young fellow,
with sparkling gray eyes and straight
Greek nose, that seemed as if it had
been borrowed from some ancient
statue of Apollo.
swell, sir?'' said Mr. Nixon.
"Well, sir!'' counter-interrogated
Mr.. Bourne, did you get my letter."
Il got your letter. said Uncle
Nahum. $50 you want to marry my
niece. Faith?"
'.Ycs, SIR" valiantly acknowledged
Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne.
..Ah!' nodded Uncle Nahum. '.But
perhaps you don't understand all the
facts of the case"
1.-The facts, sir?''
II want my niece to marry Colonel
Ashland's son." slowly enunciated
Uncle Nahum.
'.But, sir. she dom: love him."
'Pshaw!'' snarled Uncle Nahum.
''And if she don't marry him she will
be beggar. will give her no money
of nine. Now you understand mat
tiers. Marry her or not, as you
please"
He took up the newspaper once
hnore-a tacit intimation that the in
serview was at an end.
Sir" began Marmaduke.
THAT will do" said Mr.. Nixon.
81 only wish to"
THAT will do" Numbered Mr..
Nixon, and SO Marmaduke went away.
Little Faith Nixon came down stairs
presently, a blue-eyed blossom Of a girl.
rvith yellow hair growing low down on
her forehead. and very little mouth,
exactly the shape to suggest the idea
of kissing.
Uncle Nahum looked keenly up At
her as she futtered about the room,
Strengthening table cover there or
patting down a fold here.
YES" said he, with a curious
fwi:eh of the muscles around his eyes,
;''he has been here"
IL did not ask any question,
Uncle Nahum
-:No, but your eyes did," chuckled
the old man He wants to marry
Jon-the improvident young donkey"
Faith came to her uncle's chair and
laid her hand on hfs shoulder.
"This is not the worst Of it. Uncle
Nahum want to marry him"